Find that your loved ones require assistance for day-to-day tasks and are no longer able to stay alone? Then moving them to an assisted living community is the best option not only for them, but for you and your family members as well. However, it can be a sensitive topic to discuss as your loved ones may not feel ready or comfortable to move away from home. This also poses a new phase in life which can be hard for your loved ones to transition. As such, we have provided a few tips on talking to elderly parents about assisted living.
Discuss with Siblings
If you’re not an only child, it’s best that you discuss this plan with your siblings as this decision concerns them as well. Their future plans for your loved ones may differ from yours, so do make an effort to find common ground and work towards it. This ensures that when you bring up the conversation with your loved ones, your siblings are aware of the situation and can help to persuade your loved ones. However, if you and your siblings aren’t able to solve the differences and are unwilling to have healthy conversations, you can hire a Geriatric Care Manager, who can act as a neutral third party and offer solutions based on his or her professional experiences.
Pre-Plan
Planning the talk in advance allows you to control the setting, time, situation, and direction of the conversation instead of being forced to bring it up when the circumstances get dire. Look out for a setting where your loved ones are surrounded by supportive family members and are contented and relaxed. When the mood is light, people are more disposed to have open dialogues, and this can make it easier for you or your siblings to raise the subject of assisted living. Your loved ones can also offer their opinions on the matter, which may give you an idea of what steps to take next.
Consider Other Options
Introduce the idea of assisted living to your loved ones by bringing them along on tours around the community, giving them brochures, or making them look at the websites and pictures. This is so that your loved ones will have a better understanding and outlook of the situation and are thus more accepting of the move. However, it’s also good to be open-minded and regard other solutions, such as hiring caregivers. Of course, every option comes with a financial aspect, which brings us to the next point.
Be Financially Prepared
Elder care can get expensive and may put a strain on your finances. If your loved ones prefer being taken care of by in-home caregivers, do enquire about the rates to see if you’re able to take on this responsibility without having much financial stress. For those with siblings, the expenses can be shared among you all in order to lessen the load. We also recommend checking your parents’ financial situation to determine that they have enough savings for living expenses and long-term care.
